By 1808Delaware
A compelling film series is set to take center stage in Delaware this February, offering thought-provoking screenings that explore themes of social justice, housing challenges, and mental health. Hosted at The Strand Theatre, Delaware Community Conversations: Meaningful Movies will feature five impactful films, each addressing historical and contemporary issues related to justice, equality, and human resilience.
Presented with support from First Presbyterian Church, Ohio Wesleyan University, and the Delaware County Prosecutor’s Office, the series aims to engage the community in meaningful discussions through cinema.
A Lineup of Impactful Films
The month-long event will showcase a range of films that delve into racial justice, legal battles, civil rights history, and the power of community action.
February 4 – The Burial
Kicking off the series is the 2023 legal drama The Burial, starring Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones. Based on a true story, the film follows a lawyer helping a struggling funeral home owner fight a corporate giant’s takeover. This courtroom drama sheds light on racial dynamics, financial struggles, and legal resilience. The screening begins at 7:00 PM.
February 11 – Loving
This 2016 biographical drama tells the real-life story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the couple at the center of the landmark 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, which struck down laws prohibiting interracial marriage. Loving is a moving tale of love, perseverance, and the fight for fundamental rights. Show time is 7:00 PM.
February 12 – Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot
One of the newest films in the lineup, Sound of Hope (2024) tells the inspiring true story of a Texas faith community that adopted 77 Black children from the foster system. The screening will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by a panel discussion, giving audience members the opportunity to reflect on themes of faith, family, and community-driven change.
February 18 – 4 Little Girls
Spike Lee’s 1997 documentary 4 Little Girls revisits one of the most tragic events of the Civil Rights Movement—the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. This powerful film tells the story of the young victims and the impact their deaths had on the fight for racial justice. The screening starts at 7:00 PM.
February 25 – My Name is Pauli Murray
Closing the series is the 2021 documentary My Name is Pauli Murray, which highlights the groundbreaking yet often overlooked work of Pauli Murray—a Black lawyer, poet, priest, and activist whose legal arguments helped shape the careers of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Thurgood Marshall. The screening begins at 7:00 PM.
A Community-Centered Initiative
Each film in the Meaningful Movies series has been carefully selected to foster discussion and awareness about critical social justice topics. Attendees will have the chance to engage in post-screening conversations, deepening their understanding of the issues presented.
Doors open 30 minutes before showtime, and all screenings will take place at The Strand Theatre, located at 28 East Winter Street in Downtown Delaware.
For more information, visit strandtheatre.org.
